Book online or call 888-222-1878 (001-970-496-4925) to speak with a local expert.

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

On August 22nd, be sure to experience Beaver Creek’s mountaintop finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The arduous day culminates in a climatic uphill battle as the athletes dig deep for every last ounce of energy through the crowd-lined ascent to the finish line. A village-wide celebration will cap off Stage 4 and teams and fans can take advantage of Beaver Creek’s warm and friendly hospitality for the night.

SPECTATOR VIEWING

Spectator viewing is free anywhere along the course route within the public right of way. The public right of way is essentially the roadway itself and shoulders. We please ask that you respect all private property along the course route as you are enjoying the race..

Below are several recommended viewing points, each offering a unique perspective of the race. Please note, it is best to remain in the general viewing area you choose, since the road will be closed as racers approach the resort and movement between sections of the resort will be limited.

Beaver Creek Village:Guests will find the most entertainment and activities throughout the day in this location, with a USA Pro Cycling expo, the Pro Art Challenge, race commentary and video updates, along with a variety of food & beverage options.

Spectator viewing is available on both sides of Village Road, with standing room only, behind the race fencing that will line both sides of the course a couple hundred feet from the finish line. Here guests will be able to watch the final push from racers before crossing the Stage 4 finish line just before the Beaver Creek Chapel.

"The Brink":NEW this year, the Stage 4 route climbs into Bachelor Gulch and includes a gruelling mountain climb. Aptly named "The Brink", this section of the course represents the defining moment between the ultimate victory and suffering the consequences of physical limits of the grueling King of the Mountain climb. It features an average slope of 10.3% and exceeds a 20% grade in sections. Its name also maintains a bond to winter where the fastest men on skis who conquer the Brink section of the Birds of Prey Downhill course set themselves up for victory on one of the top two toughest courses on the planet.

Spectator viewing is accessible alongside the road for the entire section of the stage finish, starting at South Holden Rd. through Borders Rd., Strawberry Park Rd., and Daybreak Ridge. The racers will swiftly descend through Bachelor Gulch and will be firing on all cyclinders for the final climb back up Village Road to the finish line.

Access to points along the King of the Mountain climb is by foot on the established route, or via hiking or mountain biking by way of Elkhorn Trail and Lost Buck Trail which begin near Centennial Lift (Chair #6). Maps and additional information for hiking/biking can be found at the Adventure Center. Hikers and bikers should stay on designated trails.

Village Road:
Guests who prefer less crowds and the ability to see the racers complete the final 2 miles of the stage can watch along Village Road on any public right of way (please respect private property).

Spectator viewing is available on the west side of Village Road, via mountain bike, road bike or by foot, utilizing the pedestrian pathway beginning at the entrance of Beaver Creek all the way to the base village.

STAGE/RACER TRACKING & UPDATES

To receive real-time results of racers and their progress during the stage, we recommend downloading the USA Pro Challenge - Tour Tracker application for your mobile device. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Complimentary shuttle service will run from 7AM until 2PM prior to the race finish, and will resume normal operation at approximately 4:30pm when all racers complete the stage.

Dedicated shuttles will be running to the Vilar Performing Arts Center from the various parking locations: Bear Lot, Elk Lot, and the Rodeo/Traer Creek Lot up until the road closure at which time service will be suspended until the race is over.

Please plan ahead and ensure you arrive for shuttle access to the base village before 2PM, as we expect a high volume of guests.

BIKE VALET

A bike valet will be available at Creekside Park, located on the north side of Beaver Creek Village, providing a secure location for spectators to leave their bikes while enjoying the race and many activities in Beaver Creek. The bike valet will open at 11AM and all bikes should be picked up no later than 6PM

PARKING INFORMATION

Due to Beaver Creek’s unique location, spectators are encouraged to leave their cars at home and bike or hike to the resort to watch the exciting finish.

Spectator Parking Information:
There will be no in-resort parking in Beaver Creek Thursday, Aug. 22. Public parking for all bike race spectators will be available in the Traer Creek/Rodeo Lot in Avon and the Bear Lot at the base of the resort, with complimentary shuttles provided to bring guests to the village.

FROM I-70 EASTBOUND (Eagle/Edwards): Exit 167-Avon and follow the signs to the Traer Creek/Rodeo Lot.

Bear Parking Lot:
Beaver Creek’s Bear Lot, located west of Prater Road, will be available for spectator parking until it fills. A dedicated shuttle will operate 7AM until race finish (approximately 4:30pm).

ABOUT

Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 19-25, 2013, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 8 host cities from Aspen to Denver.

The route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge professional cycling stage race, will take riders on a heart pounding journey through the breathtaking Colorado Rockies. The largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge continues to set records in professional cycling history by taking the riders to unprecedented elevations. In 2012, with a lead change nearly every day, one of the closest professional races in U.S. history came down to the final moments of the Individual Time Trial in Denver, and this year’s route promises to bring just as much drama.

During Stage 4 of the USA Pro Challenge, as the world’s top cyclists race to the Beaver Creek mountaintop finish line on Thursday, Aug. 22, up to fifteen renowned artists will begin their own competition in the Pro Art Challenge.

This unique event will take place in Beaver Creek Village commencing at 10:15 a.m. when Stage 4 of the bike race starts in Steamboat. Artists must complete their individual masterpieces prior to the first pro rider crossing the Beaver Creek finish line between approximately 3:30-3:50 p.m.

This live competition will run for approximately four hours and prizes will be awarded to the top artists. A variety of mediums will be represented in the Pro Art Challenge. The theme is “America’s Race”, which is the overall theme of the USA Pro Challenge. Artists will be asked to incorporate this theme as well as a cycling theme into their work. Throughout the day, spectators will enjoy following each artist’s progression and they also will have the opportunity to bid on works of art. Part performance, part competition, the Pro Art Challenge promises to deliver high energy entertainment throughout the day and provides artists with the chance to interact with and showcase their work to a national audience.

Want to experience Stage 4 of the USA Pro Challenge before the pros? Scout the Stage, a citizen’s ride presented by the Vail Valley Foundation, takes place on Thursday, August 22 with a mass start at 10:30 a.m. at 4 Eagle Ranch just outside Wolcott.

Participants will follow Highway 131 towards Highway 6 and head east bound to Village Road and Beaver Creek. This is where the route gets really adrenaline-charged …riders have two options:

The moderate route - 17.2 miles in length with 1700 feet of climbing , continuing up Village Road and crossing the finish line.

The difficult route – “The Brink” representing the defining moment between the ultimate victory and suffering the consequences of physical limits of the grueling King of the Mountain climb during Stage 4 of the Pro Cycling Challenge at Beaver Creek. The climb features an average slope of 10.3 percent and exceeds a 20 percent grade in sections. Its name also maintains a bond to winter where the fastest men on skis who conquer The Brink section of the Birds of Prey Downhill course set themselves up for victory on one of the top two toughest courses on the planet. The Brink route is 27.4 miles in length with 3700 feet of climbing. No matter which route you choose it will be a great day in the saddle.

Scout the Stage promises to be an exhilarating way to experience the USA Pro Challenge – each rider will receive a high-quality, one-of-a-kind Pearl Izumi jersey, rider swag bag, free lunch and New Belgium beer! Join your fellow riders for a great morning on your bike followed by watching cycling’s best cross the finish line.

ROUTE OPTIONS & RULES:

"The Brink" Route: 10:30am start / 17.2mi / 1,700ft elevation gain

The Moderate Route: 10:30am start / 27.4mi / 3,700ft elevation gain

REGISTRATION:

RESORT TRAVEL IMPACT

In anticipation of the race finish, vehicle access within Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch from Highway 6, will be closed beginning at 2:00pm until 5:00pm. Depending on the pace of the peloton, closures may begin earlier and potentially extend past 5:00pm so please plan accordingly.

ROAD CLOSURES & TRAVEL INFORMATION

Highways impacted include US 40, State Highway 131, and US 6. Impacts begin at 10am and end by approximately 5pm.

In coordination with the USA Pro Challenge, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), and other state entities, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has prepared traveler impact information for motorists during what may be the largest spectator event in Colorado history. Please reference the USAPCC Information on the CDOT site for greater detail on each stage's road impact - USA PRO CYCLING CDOT INFO

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon, and are encouraged to follow CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot). Daily road closure information during the event will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state or by visiting www.cotrip.org